Game Review: Moero Chronicle Hyper (Switch)

Following on from its Windows PC release a few years ago the unique dungeon-crawler Moero Chronicle, now known as Moero Chronicle Hyper, now finds its way on the Nintendo Switch as a digital download from the Nintendo ehop. This may seem like a traditional Japanese dungeon-crawler but what other secrets does it contain? Let’s take a look and find out.

Title:

Moero Chronicle Hyper

Publisher:

Idea Factory International

Developer:

Compile Heart

Platform:

Nintendo Switch

Resolution:

1920 x 1080

Audio:

Japanese

Subtitles:

English (White)

Local Players:

1

Online Players:

N/A

Install:

YES (4GB)

Our View:

Originally released in 2014 on the PlayStation Vita, and then later in 2017 as an enhanced and localised Windows PC release on Steam, Moero Chronicle arrives back on a portable console in the form of Moero Chronicle Hyper; a port of the Windows PC release enhanced with the touch-screen mechanics found within the original Japanese only PlayStation Vita game.

History lesson aside Moero Chronicle Hyper is, put simply, a visual novel themed dungeon-crawler with a simplistic storyline that is overshadowed by sexualised characters, touch-screen mechanics and (un)intentional sexual innuendos that is presented in both its gameplay and dialogue. As a result Moero Chronicle Hyper will only appeal to the core ‘ecchi-fandom’ but it does have some charm with its unique presentation and care-free attitude towards desires.

The story of Moero Chronicle Hyper takes place within the world split between Humans and Monster Girls. Humans reside within the land of Lotium while Monster Girls reside within the land of Monstopia; but despite these different lands the humans and Monster Girls coincide with each other and live in peace.

That is until strange disasters erupt within the world causing Monster Girls to hate Humans and rumours lead the humans to believe that the Legendary Monster Girl, and ruler of other Monster Girls, is trying to eradicate humans. Since then Humans have ventured off in search of this legendary Monster Girl in hopes of defeating her; but alas these expeditions have proved unsuccessful.

Now the task of venturing into Monstopia and stopping the Legendary Monster Girl from eradicating humans lies with Io, a seemingly uninterested young man who tries to keep his desire for the opposite sex in check. Io is a seemingly average person with no desirable interests but despite this he has managed to be friends with two Monster Girls, known as Lilla and Leche, since childhood and has a keen interest in helping Monster Girls in need.

Regardless of Io backstories and origins he has been tasked with saving the world and as such, with motivation from his Monster Girl friend Lilla, the two venture out into the world in hopes of saving it. This journey will see Io, along with Lilla and then later Leche, travel the world, make new friends and uncover the secrets surrounding the disasters taking place within it.

This story, as would one expect, is presented through fully voiced Japanese audio visual novel sequences; although be advised you may need to turn the voice volume up in order to hear the dialogue. Presentation wise it is the ‘traditional’ Compile Heart/Idea Factory but it doesn’t have the same flair as those seen in other games. Sure enough character lips move, just barely, but other than simplistic eye movement it is pretty static.

Story aside it is here where Moero Chronicle Hyper’s gameplay is presented and as expected it looks, and in most cases, plays like any other Japanese dungeon crawler; albeit with some minor differences. After selecting a dungeon from the world map players are thrown into a dungeon that they must navigate in first person. As with other dungeon crawlers the map will be hidden and players must navigate the dungeon in order to uncover its layout. It is the same repetitive formula as seen in other dungeon-crawler games and offers nothing knew – but at least the environments do change depending on the location.

This traditional dungeon-crawler formula does change after encountering an enemy, which of course occurs at random without any real warning; as upon starting the battle the player gets to control Io with the option of using ”Storing Desire” or “Releasing Desire” as well as using recovery items or escaping from the battle. Desire is Io’s sexual interest in woman and by storing this desire, and then releasing it, it can grant the Monster Girls in your party additional bonuses. After this menu has been passed players will then be able to battle using any of the Monster Girls they have in their party.

Once again the JPRG turn-based combat found within first-person-orientated dungeon-crawlers returns to norm and as such players will be able to command the Monster Girls in their party with commands such as attack, using skills or guard. As one would expect this will process will rinse and repeat per turn until the battle is over. At first it is straight forward but the further you explore the dungeon the more different “types” of enemies will appear. Types include Water, Earth, Fire and Air with monsters being resistance or weaker depending on the type of Monster Girl (and their attack) being used.

In this regard Moero Chronicle Hyper is similar to Pokemon; as using ineffective attacks will result in long battles – much like in the ever popular Pokemon games. The similiarities with Pokemon do not end there as new Monster Girls can be captured (or should we say recruited) and added to your party. Most dungeons will be filled with generic monsters, of which serve no real purpose but to slow you down and award experience and items, but occasionally Monster Girls appear that you will have to do battle with. Just like in Pokemon you can either battle the monster to earn its experience or weaken it to capture it; although the process of weakening is quite different to what you may expect.

It’s at this point the the lewdness of Moero Chronicle Hyper shows its fangs, and frustrating gameplay mechanic, of adding Monster Girls to your party and it is a two-step-process. After encountering a catchable Monster Girl you have to weaken it by destroying the characters clothing and as you might expect this reveals the characters underwear (or lack of). Once this phase has been cleared your pervy-partner Otton (who seeks to obtain all panties within the world) gets overly excitement and causes the girl on screen to briefly become paralysed. With the girl paralysed you’ll be given the opportunity of capturing them and this is achieved by rubbing them.

That’s right you have the rub the character, of which is usually in a provocative pose with little-to-the-imagination in clothing, in order to fill up a metre. Once this metre has been filled the mini-game is considered completed and the Monster Girl will be added to your party. Sounds simple BUT no indication of where to touch them is given and as such you may miss out on catching that particular monster. To make this situation even more confusing players can not only rub but touch, poke and roughly touch the character on screen using different button inputs; with yet again no indication being given. A “Nude Rub” special can also be achieved if the correct requirements are met; but once again details are vague other than a poorly presented tutorial splash screen that only appears once.

Personally I found this gameplay feature to be terribly implemented – both on touch screen and using a controller – but it is clear to see the intention. The intention is to allow players to “touch” female characters while incorporating it into an integral part of the game; but with no clear indication been given (and the tutorial scene being static and boring) it is more of a hindrance than a benefit. Failing to capture the Monster Girl during this segment does not mean that you will miss out on that character as those that do get away will return after a short period of time. In some cases you will have to replay these ‘touch scenarios’ multiple times in order to learn where the characters need to be touch in order to capture them and at this point it becomes far beyond creepy.

This gameplay mechanic isn’t without reason. As part of the story the Monster Girl characters are acting harshly towards humans and by preforming this action on the Monster Girls, and completing it successfully, it will restore the character to their normal state. As appreciation for saving them they will be added to your partner for future combat use. This functionality aside Moero Chronicle Hyper operates like your traditional dungeon-crawler JPRG with the characters in your party earning experience after every battle as well as being equipped with new equipment and accessories alongside learning new skills and abilities. As mentioned it is the same old formula mixed within a slightly twisted gameplay experience of capturing girls by touching them.

In addition to these traditional, and not so traditional, gameplay elements players will be able to talk with Monster Girls captured, rescued or befriended as well as increase their bond within them in the Inn. The Inn acts as a hub-world to the numerous Monster Girls that have been recruited and by increasing your affinity with them you can unlock additional perks such as new costumes and skill enhancements. It adds a little bit of flair to the traditional dungeon-crawler experience but at its core it adds nothing of real value to the overall gameplay experience other than offering players a new tool to interact with.

At its core Moero Chronicle Hyper is a visual-novel styled JPRG-dungeon-crawler with a simplistic story of saving the world; but its over-sexulisation of both the characters and gameplay, combined with its terrible implementation of capturing/recruiting the Monster Girls required to progress forward, makes this a difficult game to fully enjoy. The artwork and character design remains true to form but its gameplay and story leave much to be desired.

If you enjoy simplistic dungeon-crawlers with cute anime characters, and a side of touching, then Moero Chronicle Hyper has something to offer you; but if you prefer a bit more of a challenge with in-depth story and colourful character personalities then you’ll probably want to look elsewhere.

Score:

Moero Chronicle Hyper is now available for the Nintendo Switch as a digital download from the Nintendo eShop.

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About Scott EmsenScott is the Founder and Executive Editor of AnimeBlurayUK but in the past he has worked at ZOMGPlay, Rice Digital and Funstock and was once a Community Moderator for the Nokia N-Gage forums.
Based in the UK, he loves anything related to Games & Anime and in In his spare time you'll mostly find him playing on one of his many gaming consoles; namely the PS Vita, PS4 or Xbox One.